scholarly journals Macular Carotenoids and Cognitive Function in a Young Adult Population (FS05-07-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Ramirez ◽  
Katherine Lightfield ◽  
Krystle Zuniga

Abstract Objectives Improving cognitive health in young adulthood may improve academic and career success and prevent early age-related cognitive decline. A growing body of evidence suggests that the dietary carotenoid lutein may promote cognitive function; however, these studies have primarily been conducted in Non-Hispanic White populations. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between macular pigment optical density (MPOD), a biomarker of lutein status, and cognitive function in a diverse, young adult population. Further, we examined the association between fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake and MPOD scores. Methods In this cross-sectional study, seventy young adults (Mean = 20.2, SD = 2.3 years of age), were recruited from a university in Central Texas. Daily F&V intake were assessed by the NCI fruit and vegetable intake screener. MPOD was measured with heterochromatic flicker photometry. Cognitive performance was assessed with the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery, and fully corrected T-scores that correct for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and education were used for analyses. Participants were split into Low and High MPOD groups based on the MPOD median of the sample. The association between F&V intake and MPOD was assessed by multiple linear regression, including body fat percentage as a covariate. F&V intake as a function of MPOD group was analyzed by ANOVA, and cognitive scores were compared using ANCOVA with BMI as a covariate. Results The sample was primarily female (68.5%) and Caucasian (72.7%), and 40% of the population was Hispanic. The MPOD mean (Mean = 0.39, SD = 0.17) of the sample was above the reported national average of 0.33. Participants consumed approximately 1 cup of fruits and 1 cup of vegetables a day. F&V intake was not correlated with MPOD scores (R2 = −0.03, P = 0.81), and F&V intake did not significantly differ between High and Low MPOD groups. Episodic memory performance was significantly higher in the high MPOD group compared to those with low MPOD (P = 0.041). No other differences were found between the MPOD groups for the other fluid cognitive tests. Conclusions MPOD was not a biomarker for F&V intake which may be due to the overall low intakes of these lutein-containing foods in the young adult sample. Lutein's cognitive benefits in young adults may be domain specific. Funding Sources none.

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 156-161
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Phillips ◽  
Kelly Cheever ◽  
Jamie McKeon ◽  
Ryan Tierney

Near point of convergence (NPC) is an emerging concussion assessment tool and researchers have reported NPC scores using different administration methods which may influence assessment interpretation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of different administrative methods on NPC scores in healthy, active young adults. NPC was measured using two different accommodative rulers and a fingertip, with three different placements. No significant difference in NPC score was observed between rulers. Significant differences were observed between ruler placements. Furthermore, fingertip use was significantly different compared to all ruler placements.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ria Angeline Martins ◽  
Russell Seth Martins ◽  
Syeda Maryam Zehra Zaidi ◽  
Scheryar Saqib ◽  
Aiman Ahmed ◽  
...  

Abstract Background:The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted a large majority of Pakistan’s population, with one particular demographic of stakeholders being the country’s young adult population. Our study looks to understand levels COVID-19-related awareness, perceptions, and behaviors, and sources of COVID-19-related knowledge, amongst Pakistan’s young adult population.Methods:This survey was conducted by the Aga Khan University over July-October 2020, via a Google Form disseminated on multiple social media platforms. All respondents aged between 18-35 years and currently residing in Pakistan were included.Results:The questionnaire received a total of 406 responses with the respondents having a mean age of 25.15 ± 5.80 years. 52.5% of the respondents were currently students. The vast majority relied on social media (83.7%), internet blogs/websites (83.3%) and newspapers/television (70.7%) as major sources of information regarding COVID-19. The highest percentage of individuals believed spread was possible through contaminated surfaces (95.3%), while 86.4% believed spread was possible via inhalation of droplets, and 52.0% via close contact with asymptomatic individuals. Alarmingly, 21.9% believed that transmission was possible through contact with packages shipped from China, and 16% believed COVID-19 could be contracted by eating food in Chinese restaurants. Moreover, 24.1% believed COVID-19 to be a biological weapon designed in a laboratory, while 23.9% were unsure.Conclusions: Our survey revealed some deficiencies in the understanding of transmission of SARS-CoV-2, along with racial biases and the prevalence of misinformation. Since young adults play an important role in the global response to the pandemic, our study suggests interventions that target the young adults in Pakistan in an attempt to increase their awareness about the pandemic and help them cope with its effects.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-267
Author(s):  
T. Opakunle ◽  
O. Aloba ◽  
M. Adebisi

Objective: The outbreak of coronavirus pandemic has affected millions of people globally. This has subsequently triggered diverse mental health  challenges. This study examined the prevalence as well as the determinants of suicidality among Nigerian young adults resident in China.Method: This is an online-based cross-sectional survey involving 364 Nigerian young adults in China. Sociodemographic and suicidality related  variables were collected. The respondents also completed the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire and the 5-item Brief Symptom Rating Scales.Results: The prevalence rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt as a result of the pandemic were 8.2% and 2.5% respectively. A total of 188(51.6%) respondents had anxiety. Suicidality was associated with anxiety and psychological distress.Conclusion: Suicidality is relatively common among the Nigerian young adult population in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health interventions in terms of screening for suicidality and its determinants may need to be developed for Nigerian young adults in China during this pandemic. Keywords: Suicidality, Suicidal ideation, Suicide attempt, Covid-19 pandemic, Nigerian adults


Author(s):  
Cherrita Ramsaran ◽  
Rohan G. Maharaj

Abstract Background: Patients with normal weight obesity (NWO) have a normal body mass index (BMI) but elevated body fat percentage (BF%), thereby increasing their risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. The purpose of this research was to determine the prevalence of NWO and its associated factors in a sample of young adults in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). Methods: A cross sectional study involving a convenience non-voluntary sample of participants with a normal BMI of 18.5–24.9 kg/m2 was conducted. The following information was collected: history, basic anthropometric measurements, including BF% via the Tanita Ironman Body Composition Analyzer (BC554), physical examination and basic blood investigations. Participants were divided into two groups; normal BF% (<23.1% males, <33.3% females) and elevated BF% (≥23.1% males, ≥33.3% females). Results: Two hundred and thirty-six students participated, F:M (2.1:1), aged 18–28 years [Mean 21.33 (SD 2.5)], mean BMI 21.66 (SD 1.9). A response rate of 80.3%. The prevalence of NWO for this population was 19.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 15.1–25.7]. Males 14.4% (95% CI 10.3–19.7) and females 5.5% (95% CI 3.1–9.5). Variables with a statistically significant association with NWO included gender, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), systolic blood pressure (BP), the ratio of total cholesterol (TC) to high density lipoprotein and in females, the presence of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) (p<0.05). Binary logistic regression revealed that predictors of NWO were male gender and waist circumference. Conclusions: One in five of this young adult population was found to have NWO. Long-term studies are recommended to study the full implications of these findings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1007
Author(s):  
Marianna Tsatali ◽  
Despina Moraitou ◽  
Georgia Papantoniou ◽  
Evangelia Foutsitzi ◽  
Eleni Bonti ◽  
...  

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to validate the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11th version) scale as well as the short version of the Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS-P) in a population of Greek young adults. Secondly, we aimed at validating the BIS-11 in older adults. Methods: 167 (Group 1) university students completed the Greek version of the BIS-11 (BIS-11-G) and the UPPS (UPPS-P-G) scales. Additionally, BIS-11-G was also administered to 167 (Group 2) cognitively intact older adults, to identify whether it could be used to measure impulsivity in an older adult population. Results: Both scales had satisfactory internal reliability and test–retest reliability, as well as convergent validity in the young adult population. In regard to the factor structure, a principal component analysis (PCA) extracted two factors for the BIS-11-G in the young adult population and three factors in older adults, as well as three factors for the short UPPS-P-G in young adults. Conclusions: The BIS-11-G and the UPPS-P-G scales can be used to measure different aspects of impulsivity in the Greek population of different ages in research and clinical practice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 60-65
Author(s):  
Atta Muhammad

OBJECTIVE To investigate the frequency of elevated resting heart rate among young adult population of ZCRS. METHODOLOGY This cross sectional study was conducted at a private sector University with 363 participants, within age group of 18-30, under consideration. The participants underwent an assessment of heart rate at rest with pulse oximeter, height and weight by stadiometer. IBM SPSS version 20 with a Confidence interval of 95% was used for the statistical analysis. The association of elevated Resting Heart Rate and Body Mass Index was assessed. In addition to this gender association elevated were also evaluated. RESULT The incidence of Elevated RHR with a mean of 95.30 ± 3.25 was found to be 27.04 percent. Also, 22.44 percent of participants had their heart rate with a mean heart rate of 108.40 ± 6.69 in the tachycardia category, which showed the increased risk of CVD events in the near future. In BMI’s view, there was no important correlation found between RHR and BMI jointly and in individual classifications (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The results revealed that resting heart rate was elevated among half of the population that may be a risk factor for cardiovascular events in future. KEYWORDS Heart rate, elevated resting heart rate, RHR, Cardiovascular Disease, Young Adults, risk factors modification


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Phillips ◽  
Ryan Tierney

Purpose: Measuring near point of convergence (NPC) has recently emerged as a concussion assessment tool. Differences in administration of the test can be seen within the literature, which may affect results and normative values. There has been little investigation examining if clinically accessible target types affects NPC and no examination of NPC in a healthy, active young adult population. Methods: NPC was measured in 39 subjects using 5 different targets two times each with an accommodative ruler. Results: NPC ranged from 1.5-10cm in this population with an overall mean of 5.9+-1.6 cm. There were significant differences between the middle sized font and the line (p = .024) and pen (p = .047), and also between the largest sized font and the line (p = .026). Conclusion: For physically active young adults, the measurement of NPC is affected by target type.


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